held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never on terms
held up, always towards rear
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression
in touch, headway 3f out, ridden to challenge 2f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong, held on towards finish
tracked leader, led over 3f out, headed 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, never troubled leaders
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden and effort over 2f out, no impression final furlong
led, headed over 3f out, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway on outside 4f out, led 2f out, ridden and hung left over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, rallied, just held
in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
unruly start, reared leaving stalls, always behind
mid-division, lost place over 3f out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden and outpaced 4f out, soon no impression
Compton Eclaire looks to be the pick here, with Red Forest, Celtic Carisma and Let It Be others to consider. The selection remains on the same mark of 52 as when winning an apprentice handicap over this trip at York last time out. He is a thorough stayer who relishes fast ground and with his useful 5lb claimer Andrew Mullen on board to ease the burden on his back he has a tremendous chance of following up. Red Forest can be the one to chase him home at a track he acts well on. His half length second here to Whispering Death on fast ground last October gives him a chance with the selection, though he is not in quite as good form at present and so is opposed. Celtic Carisma has been soundly thrashed in two starts since landing a Southwell handicap in April and looks to be in the grip of the handicapper at present, while Let It Be looks a better proposition. He runs off 57 here, 4lb lower than when landing a c&d win at this meeting last year and he looks capable of going very well, but Compton Eclaire is in fine form and gets the nod.
Perfect Punch 40-1 (8-10) Mid-division, effort over 4f out, weakened final 3f, 11th of 14, 26l behind Compton Eclaire (8-4) at York 1m 6f app hcp (5) gf.
Compton Commander 33-1 (9-10) Mid-division, driven over 5f out, never dangerous, 10th of 12, 18l behind Industrial Star (9-5) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Let It Be 13-8fav (9-0) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 8, 12l behind Sharp N Frosty (8-8) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Red Forest (IRE) 11-2 (8-13) Chased leader, led over 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Sharp N Frosty (8-8) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Celtic Carisma 5-1 (8-10) Prominent, driven over 4f out, soon beaten, last of 12, 24l behind Industrial Star (9-5) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Transit 25-1 (8-8) Led, headed over 6f out, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, last of 14, 42l behind Compton Eclaire (8-4) at York 1m 6f app hcp (5) gf.
Compton Eclaire (IRE) 12-1 (8-4) Slowly away, behind, headway over 4f out, soon ridden, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, kept on well, won at York 1m 6f app hcp (5) gf beating Whispering Death (9-0) by 2l, 14 ran.
Redspin (IRE) 13-2 (8-7) In touch, ridden and outpaced over 3f out, stayed on well final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Mostarsil (10-0) at Bath 2m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) frm.
